Art of forming last parts.



4 SHEETS-'SHEET l.

PATENTED PEB. 2l, 1905.

J. T. BROWN.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28. 1900.

ART OF PORMING LAST PARTS.

mwN-mmf fw iw fw J. T. BROWN.

PATENTED FEB. 2l, 1905.

ART 0F PORMING LAST PARTS.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 28- 1900.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 783,363. PATBNTBD FEB. 21,1905.

J. T. BROWN.

ART 0F FORMING LAST PARTS.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 2a. 1900.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

IEI. G *I 5? lnk/ENTER WEEE: e) 0MM"- No. 783,363. PATENTED FEB. 2l, 1905. J. T. BROWN.

ART OF FORMING LAST PARTS.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 2a. 1900.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

wiz

NTTED STATES Patented February 21, 1905.

JONATHAN T. BROWN, OF MARBLEHEAD, MASSACHUSET'S, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO UNITED LAST COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

ART OF FORNIING LAST PARTS.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 783,363, dated February 21, 1905.

Application filed May 28, 1900. Serial No. 18,261.

To all whom, t 'may concern.'

Be it known that I, JONATHAN T. BROWN, of Marblehead, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Art of Forming Last Parts, of which the following is a speciiication.

Prior to myinvention it has been the practice in the manufacture of hinged lasts to first turn from a block of wood the entire last and then cut it transversely into two sections. These sections were then recessed at the top to permit the heel-section to move upward and provide abutting members below the pivotal point of the last, the sections being bonded by a hinge. A last is of such irregular form that it has been found in practice prior to my invention exceedingly diflicult and expensive to properly aline and bond the two sections after they have been separated as above described. In turning the whole last from whichl the hinged lasts were made prior to my invention it has been theepractice to chuck the vstock lengthwise of the grain without regard scribed, with its predetermined face againstv the face of the chuck. The same c huck is used for turning the fore parts and the heel parts and may be said to represent the face of the heel part when the fore part is being turned and the face of the fore part when the heel part is being turned. The predetermined face is formed at one end of the block. The

fore-part sections and heel-sections, faced as aforesaid, are turned independently from separate blocks or pieces of stock upon a speciallyorganized machine hereinafter described, by which and by means of the predetermined face of the block and the chuck each section can be turned with its axis or its axis of rotation when in the chuck bearing a predetermined relation to the said predetermined face of the section. The predetermined face of the heel-section bears a predetermined relation to the said predetermined face of the fore-part section, and thelongitudinal axis of one section bears a predetermined relation to the longitudinal axis of the complemental section, so that the axis of the completed last is the same as if the last had been turned solid and never divided. Thesel relations of axes and faces are maintained throughout the making and assembling of the sections or parts of the last. The fore parts and heel parts turned as described when assembled accurately lit in a predetermined waywith their faces and surfaces in proper position and alinement, their abutting ends being a predetermined residue of their respective predetermined faces in relation to which they were turned and assembled. It is not essential that the predetermined face referred to should subsequently be retained as a whole in the section, as the inner end of the section, together with a portion of the face, may be afterward beveled or shaped in accordance with the variety of last being manufactured. This face or its equivalent, however, during the process of manufacture is essential and serves as a gage in relation to which the various dimensions, shapes, and alinements of lasts are made. In addition to the predetermined face I form in the said face near the center two holes which engage pins on the chuck. These holes are preferably bored at right angles to the predetermined face and not only serve as means by which the block is turned, but in connection with the fiat face serve as means by which the block is accurately adjusted against the chuck and in the templets employed in the operationssubsequentto turning, the said templets preferably having, like the chuck, a iiat face with two pins projecting at right angles to said face to enter said holes. Instead of the pin and holes I may employ any other suitable means for the described purpose. Further, the lprinciple of employing the flat face may be variously modified. For convenience and certainty of results I prefer the face above described and the holeand-pin construction.

It will be evident from the foregoing that when a fore part is being turned the chuck stands in relation of the heel-section for that fore part, and vice versa, so that when a fore part and heel part have been turned and finished necessarily their complemental surfaces and faces are accurate in fit and alinement.

In manufacturing sectional lasts prior to my invention it has been customary, as heretofore described, to turn the last precisely the same' as solid lasts and thereafter cut up the lasts. In making the solid lasts or in making sectional lasts the last is turned with its axis the fore part instead of the central part.

running from the toe to a point substantially near the central part of the heel portion. In cases where there Awas but little spring the axis running from the toe to the central part of the heel above referred to would pass through the lower part of the rear face of If the last being turned was thesame size as the model, this position of the axis would develop no particular diiiculty. It is impracticable, however, to have a model for each size, the practice being to have one model for each style of last and then by the reproducing method of the last-turning machine to make lasts of all sizes of the same style as and from that particular model in order to have a complete set of sizes of a last of that style.

In turning a solid last that is larger or smaller than the model (and the hinged lasts made prior to my invention have been nothing but solid lasts subsequently cut up) while the lathe could be adjusted to correctly multiply the length of the last-model as desired it did not and failed to correctly reproduce on an increased or diminished scale, as the case might be, the desired measurements of the model about the body of the last, particularly on lines running about the instep and the heel measure. Instead of correctly reproducing the desired measurements at these pointsthe last, if it were of a larger size than the model, would have its measurements unduly increased at these points, and if of a smaller size than the model the measurements at these points would be too small, the increase or diminution of measurements becoming more marked in proportion as the last being turned was greater or less in size than the model. Many expedients were adopted to overcome this difficulty, but with only indifferent success, as the re-v sulting last when larger or smaller than the model still had improper measurements about the fore part, due to the axis of the last being off center of the fore part and the consequent multiple action of the machine-in reproducing the model on a larger or smaller scale.

Owing` to the irregular contour of lasts, it

is desirable, for many reasons, among which or section.

same on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

may be mentioned makinglastsof a larger or smaller size than the model, to turn the last about an axis which extends in a line from the center of the toe backward and upward to substantially the center of the material at the end engaged by the chuck. By this means when sections of a larger or smaller size than the model are turned there is no excessive exaggeration or diminution of the dimensions of the model, as would be the case if the axis at the chuck were near one surface of the block or materially off center. This result I obtain by turning the fore part and the heel part separately by means of the described chuckand-pin construction and the face and central holes in the block, thereby having the material of the last evenly distributed about its axis of rotation while in the lathe, the chuck practically constituting the complemental heel part, and viceversa. rIhe axis of the last is also correctly maintained and the axis and surfaces of one part correctly alining with and form a continuation of those of the other part In a word, by my invention I produce a hinged last in which the measurements, surfaces, and alinements are correctly maintained irrespective of the grade or size above or below the model.

Referring to the'drawings, Figure 1 represents a portion of a turning-lathe, the patternwheel and the cutter-being shown` in dotted lines. Fig. 2 represents the chuck, the chuckcarrier,and the last-section held in place by the chuck-carrier. Fig. 3 represents a plan view of the chuck-carrier. Figs. 4: and 5 represent the adjustable coupling for the shaft which drives the chuck-carriers, by means of which the patterns and the stock may be rotated in exactly the same relation to the pattern-wheel and the cutter. Fig. 6 represents a longitudinal section through the chuck. Fig. 7 represents a longitudinal section through the Fig. 8 represents asection on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6. Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 represent the chuck in detail. Fig. 14. represents the partially-finished fore part, the last-block or rough stock being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 15 represents the end of the linished fore part. Fig. 16 representsthe gage-plate which is clamped against the end of the section. Fig. 17 represents in full lines a fore-part block. Fig. 18 represents the fore part as finished by the lathe. Fig. 19 represents a heel-block. Fig. 2O represents a heel part as finished bythe lathe. Fig. 21 represents av heel part and a fore part as finished by the lathe, showing the relation of the complemental faces with the hole-and-pin construction, the pins appearing at c'.A A

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of the invention, 2O represents the usual swinging frame which carries the pattern and the stock to be turned, said frame being oscillatory with relation to the IOO pattern-wheel 21 and the cutter 22, which are mounted and rotated in the usual manner. The frame is provided with the end bars 23 24 and the intermediate cross-bars 25 26 27. In the bars 23 and 26 is journaled a split shaft 28 29, the sections of which are connected by a coupling, which I shall subsequently describe. Said shaft is provided with the usual pulley 30, driven by a belt 31, and on the shaft are pinions 32 33, intermeshing, respectively, with gears 34 35 on the chuck-carryingshafts 36 37 The shaft 36 is journaled in bearings in the end bars 33 and the cross-bars 25, the shaft 37 being journaled in the cross-bars 26 27. On the frame are two adjustable crossbars 38 and 39, the latter being adjusted by a screw-bar 40 and being held in place after adjustment by a set-screw 41. These crossbars 38 and 39 carry the studs or spindles 42 43,which hold the pattern and the stock against their respective chucks and permit their rotation, said spindles having their axes coinciding with the axes of the shafts 36 and 37.

As thus far described the machine does not dier in any essential point from the wellknown turning-lathe now in general use, except in the mechanism by means of which the shafts 36 37 may be rotatively adjusted with relation to each other, as will be subsequently explained.

0n each of the shafts 36 37 is a universallyadjustable chuck, and as similar I shall describe only one of them, reference being now had to Figs. 2 to 13, inclusive. The end of the chuck-carrying shaft is formed with a round head, which is transversely grooved in the face thereof to provide two flanges 43 43, the inner faces of which are parallel, as shown in Fig. 9, and the two flanges are likewise grooved inward from the edges to provide curved lips 44 45. The lips 45 are apertured at 46 46. Between the ianges 43 is pivoted a lug 47 bymeans of a screw-pin 48. This lug 47 projects lrearwardly from a coupling' consisting' of [a plate 481 having forwardly-projecting iianges 49 49, whose inner faces are at a right angle to the inner faces of the flanges 43. The lug 47 is beveled from its center toward its edges, as shown in Fig. 7, to permit it to be swung about the screw-pin 48. 50 indicates the chuck proper, which is pivoted between the ianges 49 49 by a screw-pin 51, so that said chuck has a universal adjustment with relation to the axisof the shaft. Adjusting-screws 52 52 are passed through the coupling 481 to bear against the rear edges of the chuck 50 to adjust the latter, said screws being secured after adjustment by nuts 53 and the coupling 481,

together with the chuck, adjusted in a direction at right angles to the chuck adjustmentl and secured after adjustment by the screws 54 54 and nuts 55 55, said screws being passed through the coupling 481 and the lug 47 and bearing against the inner wall of the groove the two chucks `are l formed transversely in the head at the end of the shaft. The front face 56 of the chuck is preferably fiat, and two pins 57 57 project forwardly therefrom, as shown. (See Fig. 11.) Against the face 56 a gage-plate 58 is placed, said plate having apertures 59 to receive the pins 57. Inasmuch as each of the chucks may be universally adjusted with relation to its shaft, it will be seen that the stock and the pattern may be gripped by the spindle against the chuck in exactly the'same position with regard to each other and the axis of rotation. In order to rotatively adjust the pattern and the stock relatively to each other, the coupling shown in Figs. 2 to 5 is employed for connecting the two sections 28 29 of the shaft previously referred to. Said coupling consists of two confronting collars 6() and 61, rigidly secured to the meeting edges or ends of the shaft 28 29. Screws 62 62 are passed through curved slots 63 from the collar 61 into the collar 60. Thus it will be. seen that one of said shafts may be rotatively adjusted and timed with relation to the other, after which the two may be rigidly secured by driving the screw 62 home, so as to bind the collars firmly together to prevent them from slipping. This adjustment enables the stock to be rotated in true relation to the rotation of the pattern and when once made does not require further attention, since this factor is a constant irrespective of the varying sizes or styles or shapes of the model. This accurate adjustment has not been necessary in lathes employed for making hinged lasts prior to my invention, since all sizes or styles of lasts were turned to the same fixed axis and blocks for all` kinds of lasts were chucked alike. By my invention, on the contrary, the blocks are differently chucked with relation of the face of the chuck to the axis of rotation, and the axis of the last is determined before the block is chucked. The sections being turned with relation to a predetermined face or gage, it is necessary that the Ablock and pattern should rotate in true unison. While such unison of rotation is theoretically possible, in a machine as a practical proposition some adjusting means are necessary to secure this mode of operation, owing to imperfection of parts, &c. with my invention, therefore, the pattern-dog and block-dog are both adjusted alike, not only with respect to the pitch of the face of each dog tothe line running from the point of the spindle to the center of the dog-face, but also by means of the adjustment between the driving mechanisms of the dogs and each and every point, and the last or block held by the block-dog is necessarily in true adjustment to the corresponding point upon the model. These adjustments, together with the particular way in which the stock is held to distribute the material of the finished section substantially equal about the axis, enables me In accordance IIO IZO

to accurately reproduce the sections of different sizes of the model.

The process by means of which the last-sections are constructed and which includes the operation of the machine above described is as follows: The end of the larger portion of the last-block (t is faced, as at Z1, and in the said end are bored, by means of a suitable tool, two parallel apertures c c in substantially the central part of the face, said face I and the apertures c corresponding to a similar face and similar apertures on the pattern d. rI'he pattern CZ is then placed upon the patternchuck, and the chuck is adjusted until the end of the last is engaged at the proper point by the spindle 42, a slight indentation or hole being made in the said end for this purpose. The pattern is then placed upon the stockchuck with the face of the pattern fiat against the plate 58 on the chuck 50. The stockchuck is adjusted until the pattern is in position to receive the point of the spindle in the aforesaid indentation, after which the adjusting devices are locked to hold the chuck continuously in that position so long as that particular style of fore part or heel part is being manufactured or turned. The pattern is then replaced in the pattern-chuck and the spindle is engaged in the indentation described. The last block or stock is placed upon its proper chuck with the pins 57 57 entering the apertures c c, and the face I) is forced firmly against the face of the plate 58, it being remembered that there is also a plate 58 on the pattern-chuck. Then the cross-bars 39 are adjusted to bring the spindle 43 into engagement with the end of the stock. The machine is set in operation and the stock is turned to form a fore part or heel part exactly similar to the pattern, and it will be noted that each time this is done the axis of rotation of the stock bears a predetermined relation to the flat face at the end of the stock. I do not mean by this that the aXis on which each fore part is turned always bears in different styles of fore parts the same relation to the fiat face, for it will be readily seen that right lasts and left lasts are turned on axes which are at different angles to the fiat faces and that differentlyshaped fore parts are turned on axes which vary in their relation to the flat face;` but it will be noted, however, that if fifty or any other number of fore parts of a certain style `or shape for a right shoe or a left shoe of a certain size be turned they will all be rotated 0n axes bearing the same predetermined relation to the Hat face, said face serving as a gage for the operation. I have illustrated a fore part in the machine; but it will be understood that the heel part is constructed in eX- actly the same way, said heel-section being provided with a flat face which is apertured to receive the pins carried by the chuck, as shown in Figs. 19 and 20. It is further to be noted that the stock-chuck represents a compleme'ntal 'heel-section while a fore-part section is being turned. After the sections have been turned the'squared ends thereof may be beveled or otherwise shaped, this and all subsequent operations being accomplished by placing the said flat faces and their holes vin engagement with templets that are duplicates, so far as their faces and holding members are concerned, of the face and pieces of the stockchuck, thereby maintaining to the end the relationship of the various faces and alinements of the sections and insuring the accurate and proper fitting and alinement of the two sections when assembled. In Figs. 18 and 20 I have shown the fore part and heel-section as being beveled on the line c. In lmaking hinged lasts the lower portion of the face is left on both the heel-section and the toe-section, since said faces confront each other below the axis of the pintle and meet when they are in normal or operative position. After the sections have been turned the subsequent steps will depend upon the particular style of last, style of hinge, &c. A description of the subsequent steps is unnecessary beyond the instructions that when the sections are being worked upon to secure surfaces, alinements, fittings, &c., they are held by the described templet, thus, in effect, having the fore part held by its complemental heel part, and vice versa. The holes in the sections may be utilized to position and anchor the hinge.

I do not claim the mechanism for practicing my improved art,said mechanism being shown, described, and claimed in a divisional application, Serial No. 62,051, filed May 27, 1901.

Having thus explained the nature of my invention and described a way of constructing and using the same, though without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made or all the modes of its use, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isw

1. As an improvement in the art of forming lasts or last parts, the method which consists in forming a surface other than the foot-shape contour of the last or last part, such surface having a definite geometric relation to a surface having av useful function in the last, and then forming the` said contour in a predetermined relation to such first-mentioned surface substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. As an improvement in the art of forming divided lasts, the method which consists in forming a standard surface on each of several last parts, which surfaces bear a delinite relation to each other, forming the foot-shape contours of such last parts in proper relation to such standard surfaces, and then assembling the parts substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The method of making sectional lasts consisting in turning from separate pieces of stock a toe-section and a heel-section, each section being turned on an axis bearing a pre- IOO IOS

ISO

determinedrelationtoamounting-facethereof end of the last part and then subsequently first formed thereon, and the axis of one secturningq the block. IO tion being a continuation of the axis of the In testimony Whereohave axed my sigcomplernentel section. nature in presence of two Witnesses.

5 4. The herein-described method of making JONATHAN T. BROWN.

a divided last consisting of severing the last- Witnesses: block before it is turned, iinishing the seeant M. B. MAY,

end thereof to the ultimate shape of the joint P. W. PEZZETTI. 

